Ex-Broward Teachers Union chief admits federal fraud charge

Pat Santeramo pleaded guilty Friday to a federal mail fraud charge. The Ex-Broward Teachers Union chief admitted he took school accountability money and used it illegally to make payments to himself and at least one other union employee.

Pat Santeramo pleaded guilty Friday to a federal mail fraud charge. The Ex-Broward Teachers Union chief admitted he took school accountability money and used it illegally to make payments to himself and at least one other union employee.

Former Broward Teachers Union President Pat Santeramo, already convicted by a jury of multiple state corruption charges, pleaded guilty to a federal mail fraud charge Friday.

Santeramo admitted he misappropriated money the Broward School District gave the union each year that was supposed to have been spent on an accountability program. He acknowledged he improperly used some of the money to make payments to himself and at least one other union employee, who has not been publicly identified, between 2006 and 2011.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Santeramo, 68, will serve both his state and federal punishments in state prison. He must also pay $93,800 in restitution to the Broward Teachers Union.

His lawyer Benedict Kuehne declined to say why Santeramo wants to serve his time in state prison. One factor that could influence his decision is that it appears he could face a longer state sentence and would receive credit for serving his federal prison term at the same time.

The sentencing guidelines have not yet been released in the state case, but his lawyers said they estimate he faces 15 to 21 months in prison on the federal case.

Santeramo's sentencing date in Broward Circuit Court has not yet been scheduled but he has a court appearance scheduled Tuesday. His lawyers Kuehne and Larry S. Davis said they expect he will be sentenced first on the state case.

Santeramo was found guilty of eight state charges including grand theft, money laundering, organized scheme to defraud and violating campaign contribution laws last month after a jury trial in Broward Circuit Court.

He was expected to go to trial later this month in Fort Lauderdale on two federal mail fraud charges. He pleaded guilty Friday to a single count — and the other charge will be dismissed after sentencing April 22, Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry Wallace said in court.

"Yes, I did," Santeramo said when U.S. District Judge William Zloch asked him if he knew what he was doing when he committed the fraud. He admitted he intentionally took the money and wrote fraudulent letters to the school district that did not disclose he was misappropriating the money.

As he left the courthouse, Santeramo said he had nothing to add to his lawyers' comments. "They said it all," he said.

Kuehne said Santeramo regrets what he did and "fully and completely takes responsibility." He asked that people remember his "many positive accomplishments" in his 30 or so years as a music teacher and 10 years leading the union.

"He apologizes for those financial improprieties," Kuehne said.

The money, given to the union by the Broward School Board, was supposed to be used for training and to bring in guest speakers and give teachers time to work on projects. Prosecutors said it was improperly used by Santeramo to make unauthorized payments to himself and other union employees.

The state charges, filed in 2012, accused him of approving inflated invoices for a kickback scheme that funneled more than $165,000 to Santeramo. He was also convicted of illegally reimbursing employees for political campaign contributions.

Santeramo led the 11,000-member union for 10 years and received a salary of up to $189,000. The former band director at Walker Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale was hired in 1978 and taught for 17 years before becoming a full-time union employee. He resigned in December 2011 while under criminal investigation and facing a union expulsion vote.